What is the Difference Between a Face Mask and an KN95 Respirator Mask?

Masks and respirators are useful items to keep handy for the flu or other airborne pandemics. While most people are familiar with face masks and respirators, many aren't sure what the difference between the two is. Both are great for protection, but when does one offer more protection than the other?

This is regular face masks:

(Regular face masks)

Regular face masks are useful in medical situations, treatment practices, and overall protection from germs. Face masks are excellent at blocking bodily fluids, which can contain viruses and bacteria. Face masks tend to be looser fitting against the face and leave a gap between your skin and the edge of the mask. This makes face masks fairly inefficient at block smaller germ-laden particulates, which can easily sneak into the open gaps. (It is the reason why KN95 is more expensive than regular face masks). Face masks do protect the nose and mouth well from larger particulates including saliva and respiratory emissions. All face masks are one time use and should never be shared.

This is our KN95 masks:

(Our KN95 masks)

Respirator masks, like the KN95 Respirator Mask, are very similar to face masks in shape, but are more capable of protecting against small contaminated airborne particulates. The construction of a KN95 Respirator Mask is designed to fit the mask closely to the face, eliminating the gap that regular face masks have. This mask will protect a user against the small particles (mentioned above) and will also, like regular face masks, block and filter large particulates and protect against splash back, sprays and large droplets. KN95 respirator masks are also made for use in Industrial and Healthcare settings. Any KN95 respirator masks for these uses are specifically labeled and are NIOSH approved respirator masks. KN95 respiratory masks are available in reusable and disposable versions. As a precaution, no face mask should be shared between people.